AirPlay, Chromecast audio, DLNA and bluetooth technologies make it possible to wirelessly stream music over hi-fi systems anywhere in the house without investing in expensive connected speakers. But all of these systems can quickly become expensive. Fortunately, it is also possible to stream music to your audio systems for even less money, thanks to your smartphone or your computer.
AirPlay, Chromecast, DLNA, Deezer, Spotify: connect any hifi channel
Originally, to stream music at home, you had to buy an Apple Airport Express terminal, which offered the AirPlay protocol (formerly AirTunes), strictly compatible with Apple products. But this technology has recently ceased to be Apple's monopoly with the appearance of Chromecast audio, the development of the DNLA standard among other manufacturers and the appearance of streaming services offering remote control.
Today, there is also another inexpensive and advantageous option: bluetooth audio receivers.
AirPlay, Chromecast, DLNA, bluetooth : les solutions permanentes
If you want to be able to stream music to your home as soon as you get home from the office, at the same time slouching down on your sofa and checking your smartphone, there are devices that you can permanently plug into your existing audio set. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages:
Apple AirPlay
AirPlay is an Apple brand protocol present in AirPort Express and Apple TV terminals. But also in some models are wireless speakers. Almost alone on the market until recently, the technology, which operates over the wifi network, is credited with great audio quality - especially when the SPDIF port of AirPort Express and Apple TV are used in conjunction with a high-end hi-fi system.
But the technology also has two drawbacks: unfortunately, it is not natively compatible with Android phones. Another dark point is its price, the highest on the market: 109 euros for an AirPort Express terminal or from 199 euros for an Apple TV 4K (32 GB version). Quality comes at a price ...
Google Chromecast audio
Google's audio Chromecast is like a little plastic Oreo, stamped with the Mountain View firm's logo. The device offers three outputs - RCA, jack and SPDIF - for more connectivity with all the hi-fi systems on the market. And has two big advantages: its price, of only 35 euros, and its compatibility, both with the iPhone and with all Android smartphones.
The only criticism: audiophiles may complain about the constrained compression used by the Chromecast, clearly below its AirPlay equivalent - yet inaudible from online sources such as Spotify. But how can you blame such a cheap device? To really get out of this bias, it would indeed be necessary to opt for devices out of this price range, like the Cambridge Azur 851N which touches, in this area, summits (count 1699 euros).
DLNA systems
DLNA is a bit of a catch-all standard - it refers to a set of protocols that are compatible with each other in a standardized way. Many devices on the market offer this standard. In fact, you may already have several devices in your home that can use DLNA, and therefore receive audio from your smartphone.
Sony PS4, mediacenters, Android phones (like the Sony Xperia U), routers (ex: Freebox Revolution), and many more. It's even an OSMC default service if you follow this tutorial to build a DIY mediacenter from a Raspberry Pi.
The only drawback for owners of Apple smartphones: the Apple brand has decided to stay away from the consortium - and DLNA is not natively accessible from the devices that Apple makes. DLNA and AirPlay standards are also not compatible.
Bluetooth audio receivers
This is another alternative that can be very advantageous, especially for owners of the latest Phone without a jack. There are small bluetooth audio receivers with or without battery from around twenty euros. Audiophiles can put in a lot more to get the best quality possible.
The others, fear not. I myself acquired a small unbranded receiver from China which does the job with impeccable quality and pairing and 10 hours of battery life. It must be said that if it is a question of playing music from Youtube, or even Spotify and Deezer on a classic hi-fi system, an increase in quality will not necessarily always be noticeable. So there is no point in ruining yourself!
Turn your smartphone or computer into a temporary streaming device
Your smartphone or your computer can turn into a temporary streaming device, as long as it is on Spotify or Deezer ...
Spotify
Spotify is to date the most complete solution for controlling music playback from another device: songs, commands and sound level can be controlled as if you were on the device that actually plays the music. You just have to select from your smartphone, your computer or reading device (or vice versa). Let's be clear: you don't even need to be connected to the same wifi as your computer, and it works effortlessly, all the time!
It's hard to criticize this extremely practical solution, except that it requires a Spotify Premium subscription at 9,99 euros per month - the price of an otherwise extremely comprehensive catalog. See the ranking of the most listened to artists on Spotify.
Deezer
Deezer still falls short of this luxury of features, but you can still control playback through the installation of a third-party app. The Deemote application for Android allows, in conjunction with a Chrome extension on a computer (which will act as a reader), to perform this operation. In addition, you cannot remotely control Deezer on your smartphone, for example from your computer or another smartphone, as with Spotify.
This solution is therefore more limited and less practical than that offered by Spotify.
- To read also: Raspberry Pi - a mediacenter in less than 15 minutes with OSMC
And you, do you already stream music to your hi-fi systems? Are you using any other solution than the ones presented in this article? Talk about it in the comments!
